Crossword Genius

A copper's arranged to take place as star investigator? (5,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

space probe

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'place as star investigator?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'a copper's arranged to take' is the wordplay.
'arranged' indicates anagramming the letters.
'to take' becomes 'be' (being is a kind of taking).
'a'+'coppers'='acoppers'
'acoppers' with letters rearranged gives 'spacepro'.
'spacepro'+'be'='SPACE PROBE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for space probe that I've seen before include "highflying investigative unit" , "NASA craft" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app